British SA-80

[BaDAppLe]

Does anyone know how the floor plates of British SA-80 mags are marked? I read that they are steel mags with a dark gray finish.I bought some mags from AIM that are like stated above but no markings period on body or floorplate,the followers are black plastic.I paid like $16 a year ago from AIM. Anyone know if these are SA-80 mags? thanks

[JE3146]

The SA80 mags I had, which were a gray park, had no markings on the floorplates. If I recall the floorplates were metal though, but I could be wrong. I dont have them with me right now or I'd check real quick for you.

[BaDAppLe]

Thanks ...these must be SA80 mags then, just the blank floorplate threw me off.Opinion on useing these steel mags in our recievers? I so far only use USGI or thermolds.The steel ones sure are heavy too!

[Bettendorf]

Thanks ...these must be SA80 mags then, just the blank floorplate threw me off.Opinion on useing these steel mags in our recievers? I so far only use USGI or thermolds.The steel ones sure are heavy too!

Some people hate the idea of throwing steel mags into their alumium lowers. I have never had a problem with the SA-80 mags.

[JE3146]

The only problems I've ever had with steel mags is the fact I live in a humid enviroment. I keep getting a bit of surface rust on them everytime I take them out. If you live somewhere dry then it wont be a big deal, but I wont ever buy another steel mag because they can rust.

[BaDAppLe]

Thanks guys, I think I will keep one for my collection but get rid of the others.I agree and I dont like the idea of steel in my lowers either,especially when I have many Thermolds and other USGI mags.

[Klutz347]

Opinion on useing these steel mags in our recievers?

There is a steel bolt carrier doing a whole lot more moving than the mag will.

Back to the mag question.

I have 5 of them for range mags. they are all the gray park finish. The floor plates have no markings as do the mag bodies. The followers all are of the long leg "green follower" design but are a very dark blue. I thought they were black until I got them out in the bright sun. The followers do have a "made in England" molded into the follower.

[Epinephrine]

The ones I had had a dark hunter green anti-tilt follower and had a sticker on the side that said England. They functioned just fine, I just didnt like them taking the finish off the inside of my magwell. I sold them only for that reason.

[happyhooligan]

I have a problem with the one I bought. It doesn't seem to like my Colt. It seems like it seats well, but after every shot it unseats itself enough where it doesn't catch the next round. Has anyone else had problems like this? I don't really want to start hacking away on the mag, since they're not like tough, cheap-o AK mags.

[Epinephrine]

Sounds like the spring is having trouble keeping up with the carrier. Replace the srping with a new GI spring and see what happens.

[jmehrten]

The only problems I've ever had with steel mags is the fact I live in a humid enviroment. I keep getting a bit of surface rust on them everytime I take them out. If you live somewhere dry then it wont be a big deal, but I wont ever buy another steel mag because they can rust.


to resolve the rusting, paint the things. tear mag apart, degrease with a dry solvent like acetone, throw in oven at 350 or so until hot, pull out. spray several light coats with Rust-oleum premium enamel (in the silver can), baking for 20 minutes or so betwwen coats. After they cool, spray with silicone dry lubricant and reassemble. I do this with my steel FAL mags, and it really keeps the rust away, and is a really tough finish